Natania Posted May 11, 2012 Report Share Posted May 11, 2012 It seems that no matter how hard I try, my handles are always crooked on my cups. Is this because the clay is twisting and "unwinding" as it dries? If so, which direction (I can never remember)? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neilestrick Posted May 11, 2012 Report Share Posted May 11, 2012 Please describe how you are making your handles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macdoodle Posted May 11, 2012 Report Share Posted May 11, 2012 It seems that no matter how hard I try, my handles are always crooked on my cups. Is this because the clay is twisting and "unwinding" as it dries? If so, which direction (I can never remember)? are you doing traditional pulled handles or cutting slabs or free form? got any pictures to show? Is the cup base thrown or slab or hand pinched? A very wild guess is that you are pushing the cup base clay one way and the handle clay another, since you are not saying they are also breaking off . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJR Posted May 12, 2012 Report Share Posted May 12, 2012 My pulled handles used to twist to the right. This is because I am left-handed, and when I pulled the excess clay off at the bottom, I pulled the handle off centre. I now cut the excess clay off at the bottom with a fettling knife. Try it! It really works. TJR. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yedrow Posted May 12, 2012 Report Share Posted May 12, 2012 Hmm, are you reversing your fingers equally when you are pulling your handles (right side then left side)? Also, sometimes it helps me to look at the 'center line' from an angle when I'm lining handels up (/ not | or -). If I look vertical or horizontal I can get things out of line, and, a look from the top (handle ~5 o'clock) is different from a look from the side. On top of that. a look from the left is different from a look from the right. Visit the handle from all perspectives. Just because its the topic: The aesthetic of your handle is like 80% negative space, not the handle. I hope some of that was of use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GMosko Posted May 12, 2012 Report Share Posted May 12, 2012 It is my belief that the drying of the handle has nothing to so with the twisting you describe. Having seen a bit of this in the past, it caused me to examine my methods and make some changes. IMHO your "twisting" is not really a twisting at all; it is simply that you pressed the handle on crookedly. If I make my scored and slipped areas perfectly straight, vertically, I'm half way there. Next, I always turn the mug so that the handle area is facig directly toward my face, before I press in the bottom. How else can I see if it is straight or not? Best of luck to you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frederik-W Posted May 12, 2012 Report Share Posted May 12, 2012 The twisting is because of the centrifugal force of the earth, and you will get a different twist depending whether you are in the southern or northern hemisphere. Of course I'm just kidding. Just have a very straight eye when you put them on - line them up. And if they are not perfect - it just adds more character. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
INYA Posted May 12, 2012 Report Share Posted May 12, 2012 Hey Mosko, one of the best looking glazes I have ever seen!! I am a fan of clear glazes and "minimal" pieces but yours are fantastic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yedrow Posted May 13, 2012 Report Share Posted May 13, 2012 It is my belief that the drying of the handle has nothing to so with the twisting you describe. Having seen a bit of this in the past, it caused me to examine my methods and make some changes. IMHO your "twisting" is not really a twisting at all; it is simply that you pressed the handle on crookedly. If I make my scored and slipped areas perfectly straight, vertically, I'm half way there. Next, I always turn the mug so that the handle area is facig directly toward my face, before I press in the bottom. How else can I see if it is straight or not? Best of luck to you. Is that a strait iron oxide underglaze? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~janie Posted May 14, 2012 Report Share Posted May 14, 2012 I sympathize with the crooked handles. I am cursed with the ugliest handles in all of potterdom. I cannot seem to pull a decent handle- they are always crooked, too wide, too narrow, too BIG, not big enough, have thick and thin spots, or are covered with splotches of slip that I didn't see until the pot was fired. I have had very good potters try to help me with this affliction, nothing seems to help. The thumb mug was my friend, until I decided that that was too easy, and a coward's way out. I am working on my problem, hope to resolve it one day. I do have some friends who tell me that I am far too hard on myself, that my handles are perfectly acceptable. But then they are my friends....or maybe not. I am sorry that I cannot help you with your problem, bianca, but I do appreciate you posing this question. I would like to see a picture of what your handles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Natania Posted May 16, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 16, 2012 I am pulling the handles, and will try cutting them off with a fettling knife, and also looking at the horizontal line, and not only the vertical one. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marry12 Posted May 17, 2012 Report Share Posted May 17, 2012 Hey Mosko, one of the best looking glazes I have ever seen!! I am a fan of clear glazes and "minimal" pieces but yours are fantastic. The process of production, the mood has is joyful! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GMosko Posted April 23, 2013 Report Share Posted April 23, 2013 Hey Mosko, one of the best looking glazes I have ever seen!! I am a fan of clear glazes and "minimal" pieces but yours are fantastic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GMosko Posted April 23, 2013 Report Share Posted April 23, 2013 Excuse me--I only just saw your comment today. Thank you! It is very kind of you to say these nice things. Gil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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